Dr Mel (Phd) is a registered nurse/midwife & prenatal/postnatal specialised Pilates teacher. She has a passion for providing Pilates informed Childbirth Education to help women prepare physically and mindfully for childbirth and to aid postnatal recovery. Her services are innovative in providing practical education and women's health the latest evidence from midwifery, women's health rehabilitation and Pilates research.
Birth Skills Class
If you are planning a vaginal birth, Pilates informed Childbirth education can you help prepare for the positions and movements that help baby move down the pelvis during labour. Knowledge of how to optimise space within the pelvis during labour, may be particularly helpful for women planning to have a vaginal birth after a caesarean (VBAC). Pilates may help to strengthen pelvic floor muscles to prevent urinary leakage during pregnancy. Knowledge in how to release pelvic floor muscles during the pushing stage facilitates a gentle birth. Awareness of pelvic floor exercises may help to reduce perineal trauma or the need for episiotomy.
Education outline
- The pelvis path - Mechanisms of how baby moves down the pelvis
- The power of the uterus - Stages of Labour
- Medical Interventions
Augmentation / Induction of labour (all methods discussed)
Pharmacological pain relief (Nitrous oxide, Morphine, Epidural)
Non-pharmacological methods for pain relief (TENs, aromatherapy, massage, music, affirmations, visualisation)
- Early labour planning and review birth preferences
- Packing your 'comfy' birth bag
- Pilates principles of movement and how they can help cope with labour
- Pelvic Biomechanics - Optimising the pelvic space at different stages of labour. You will be able to practise lots positions in a simulated birth environment!
- Rocking with the Rebozo - Using a Mexican traditional scarf to release muscle and fascial tension
- Breathwork for coping with contractions/surges
- Vocalisations for influencing the baby's passage down the pelvis
- Pushing stage
Prepare the pelvic floor for a vaginal birth (includes perineal massage, warm compress and Pilates exercises to strengthen and release muscles.
Pushing technique
- Birth of placenta & preferences
- Practice Pilates exercises - These can be part of your home exercise program for preparing for an active birth!
- First hour post-birth (includes infant feeding, strategies for rest & nutrition guidance).
Childbirth Education & Women's Health Pilates
Caesarean Birth
If you require a caesarean birth for or have elected to have a caesarean birth, Pilates informed childbirth education can help to prepare for and recovery from surgery. Knowledge of how to strengthen core abdominals and pelvic floor may assist to prevent severe abdominal separation of the six pack muscles (Diastasis Rectus Abdominis Muscle - DRAM), re-activate and strengthen abdominal muscles post-surgery. The pelvic floor muscles play a major role in organ support and sexual function. Strengthening these muscles helps to provide support and stability when caring for your baby.
Caesarean Birth - Preparation & Recovery Class
Education outline
- Planning birth preferences
- Hospital procedures
- Postnatal pain management
- Infant feeding
- Recovery tips for first days post birth
- Practise Prenatal Pilates for strengthening core abdominals, pelvic floor and shoulder girdle (for infant parent-crafting & feeding)
- Be educated on Pilates principles for safe movement and good posture for caesarean scar healing.
- Practise recovery exercises
Studio Prenatal & Postnatal Pilates Classes
Pilates for Birth Preparation & Postnatal Recovery
- Classes for pregnant women or women returning to exercises post birth.
- Initial appointment required for health history taking & screening posture, pelvic floor, breathing & movement patterns.
Your personal goals are discussed at this visit.
- Pilates exercises help to strengthen abdominal muscles to minimise abdominal separation.
- Specialised exercises for Caesarean section preparation and recovery.
- Birth Movement Pilates to empower an active and non-pharmacological childbirth.
- Build strength and endurance for postnatal recovery.
- Exercises are planned according to personal goals and changes in pregnancies including pelvic girdle pain, back pain and pelvic floor conditions.
Pilates Midwife Studio - Geelong (Mount Duneed)
Private classes available at Midwife Mel's home studio.
Aligned for Life Pilates - Carlton (Melbourne)
Mel provides group and private studio Pilates classes as part of the wonderful Pilates team at Aligned for Life Pilates in Carlton.
Location: Aligned for Life Pilates Studio, 101, 235 Faraday Street, Carlton.
Scheduling: Classes are scheduled Thursday mornings
Cost: Please refer to Aligned for Life Pilates Carlton Website
Aligned for Life Pilates Instagram
For booking enquiries, email Mel
E: thebirthmovement@outlook.com
Tel: 0437 739 532
Massage Services
Pregnancy Relaxation - 60 or 90 minutes
Gentle and nurturing massage specifically designed to reduce stress, ease muscle tension, alleviate aches and pains and encourage a deep relaxation.
Pregnancy Rebalancing for birth (from 37 weeks) - 90 minutes
Gentle massage to release tension, improve lumbopelvic alignment and restore balance by addressing postural changes and pelvic asymmetries for promoting optimal position of baby for a vaginal birth. Birth movement Pilates exercises are taught to empower women for birth preparation.
Postnatal Recovery - 60 0r 90 minutes
Restorative massage to help mothers recover from the physical demands of a vaginal birth or caesarean section. Massage helps ease muscular tension from parent-crafting and promote relaxation to aid sleep. Caesarean scar tissue release may be provided on request.
Benefits of Exercise during Pregnancy
Reduces pregnancy-related fatigue
Improves cardiorespiratory fitness and pelvic floor function
Decreases the risk of pregnancy hyertension
Lowers the risk of developing gestational diabetes and moderate blood sugar levels
Improve quality of life and attain a positive mindset
Have positive thoughts about self body image
Pilates informed childbirth education
What are the benefits?
Let's work together to strengthen the three 'MMMs'
Mindfulness helps to cope with decision-making, pain management and reduce fear of childbirth
Marathon - Labour is a physically demanding life event - So is taking care of your baby after childbirth! Understanding movement and gaining strength during pregnancy and the postnatal helps to enhance your fitness and movement. This is important for preventing musculoskeletal pain. Individualised core abdominal exercises and pelvic floor exercises help to assist with better recover and healing.
Movement creates space, optimising the baby's movement down the pelvis during labour & birth. Women can participate in movement if they choose pharmacological methods of pain relief (i.e, nitrous oxide, morphine, epidural). Let me show you how!
ALL BIRTH PREFERENCES ARE WELCOMED
What does the research say?
1.Vanessa de Souza Ferraz, Clayton Peixoto, Ana Paula Ferreira Resstel, Ygor Thiago Cerqueira de Paula, Ana Beatriz Gomes de Souza Pegorare. Effect of the Pilates method on pain and quality of life in pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Volume 35, 2023, Pages 220-227.
A review of two trials investigating women with muscle pain
during pregnancy found moderate level evidence that prenatal Pilates may reduce pain symptoms when compared to women who received routine care or did not participate in any exercise.
2. Baradwan, S., Khadawardi, K., Alayed, N. M., Akkour, K. M., Mahmoud, M. S., Abdelhakim, A. M., … Abdel Hamid, A. S. (2024).
A review of 7 studies (total of 1,003 women) found a significant increase in vaginal birth, reduced rate of caesarean birth than women in the control group (no exercise). Compared with the control group, the Pilates group demonstrated a significantly shorter labour duration, reduced rate of episiotomy and use of epidural. Baby's APGAR score was also found to be significantly higher at 1 minute and 5 minutes in the Pilates group compared to the control group.
Price List
Birth Skills Class $450
Includes two 3-hour classes & handbooks.
Private class.
Caesarean Birth Class $225
One 2.5 hour class.
Includes handbook and an exercises class for surgical recovery.
Private class.
Pilates Services
Initial Pilates Screening (1 hr) $99
Casual Private Pilates Class (1 hr) $55
6 Pack Private Pilates Classes $270 (6-pack valid for 3 months from date of purchase).
Massage Services
1 hr $110
1.5 hr $135
Mount Duneed (Geelong)
Carlton (Melbourne)
Birth Skills Class $450
Includes two 3-hour classes & handbooks.
Private class.
Available Saturday afternoons or Sundays
Caesarean Birth Class $225
One 2.5 hour class.
Includes handbook and an exercises class for surgical recovery.
Private class.
Available Saturday afternoons or Sundays.
Prenatal & Postnatal Pilates
Refer to Aligned for Life Pilates Carlton for price list
Location: 101, 235 Faraday Street, Carlton.
About Midwife Mel (PhD)
Dr Mel Mazzarino (PhD) has been working as a Clinical Registered Nurse and Midwife for over 20 years. She is a certified Pilates teacher specialising in prenatal and postnatal exercise as well as birth movement.
Mel’s passion for reducing women’s/birthing persons’ anxiety and fear of childbirth led her to study mind-body techniques for active birth movement and women’s health including Pilates, Hypnobirthing and traditional rebozo technique.
Mel is committed to evidence-based practice. She completed a PhD thesis in Pilates for preparing Pregnant Women for active birth, with published studies in high level peer-reviewed journals.
As a midwife and childbirth educator, Mel is nurturing and compassionate. Her classes aim to empower women to hold a positive and confident mindset along with physical preparedness. Partners/support persons are welcomed and nurtured in their important role in providing comfort and support .
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